Page 36 of Wolfkissed
But they slam him down to the floor, on his stomach. He grunts, and I start toward him, only to be stopped by Della.
“Hold him,” Bert says, and Kier sits on Valen’s back, making him curse.
“He’s covered in blood,” Della says, watching them. “What happened?”
“Didn’t you hear?” Bert unties a length of rope from around his waist. “He killed two men.”
“Then why wasn’t he put down?”
“He saved her ladyship’s life.” Bert crouches down to tie Valen’s wrists together. “There.”
“He what?” Kier frowns as he gets up. “Is Bert pulling my leg?”
“It’s true,” I whisper.
Valen rolls slowly to face me. “I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“You eviscerated two men,” I whisper.
“Ripped their throats out,” he corrects me. “Look, I love this conversation, I really do, but I hate being bound, so…” He swallows audibly. “I won’t touch you. Won’t come close to you, just… Please, Rosamund, untie me.”
Kier kicks him in the stomach and sends him rolling the other way. “Didn’t I say to mind how you speak to her?”
Valen coughs and curls onto his side. “Fuck…”
“My lady, that’s how you call her, and you bow to her. You kneel for her.” He kicks him again, and Valen rolls on his back. “You’re not fit to lick the soles of her shoes, let alone use her given name.”
“Kier!” I’m breathless, the violence making my insides hurt as if I’m the one being abused. “Stop.”
Kier gestures at Valen. “But he?—”
“He saved my life earlier, didn’t you hear? Doesn’t that count for anything?”
Valen lets out a strange cackling sound. He rolls his head toward me, a wide grin baring those sharp teeth. Blood dribbles down his chin. “So can I call you Ros?—?”
“My lady,” I say. “That’s how you’ll address me.”
“Adding more terms to the deal we made?” he wheezes.
“Always check the small print on the contract.” I work my jaw. It aches from the tension. “Any trader knows that.”
“Well, I’m no trader. And I didn’t sign anything.”
“You agreed,” I hiss.
His pale lashes lower. “And I’m keeping my promise. What about yours?”
I try to look away, but my gaze keeps returning to him. “The terms haven’t changed. You wear the gloves and the muzzle, your wrists tied. That’s the deal.”
“Not to scare the babes at the banquet?” I can hear the grin in his low voice.
“Not to talk my ear off. You’re putting that muzzle back on. It looks good on you.”
“So you think I look good,” he drawls, “do you?”
A sharp breath escapes me. “I… that’s not what I said.”
“Don’t you, though?” He licks his lips, and something silver glints in his tongue. A silver stud? “Don’t you think that?”
